This function allows the user to calculate the shortest route between two nodes on element and the full length of the path through these two nodes, as shown in Figure 5.1.8.
Figure 5.1.8 Shortest Curve dialog box
There are three types of projection direction for the user to choose: Z Axis, VIEW DIRECTION and USER DEFINE. If the user chooses USER DEFINE, the program will pop up a Vector dialog box as shown in Figure 5.1.9.
Figure 5.1.9 Vector dialog box
-
Define X coordinate of direction vector. The user may
click this button to set the default direction to be +X axis direction. If
click the button again, the direction is changed in –X direction. The user may
directly enter the known coordinate in the input box.
- Define Y
coordinate of direction vector. After the user clicked this button, the default
direction is +Y direction. If the user double click the button, the direction
will change in –Y direction. The user may directly enter the known coordinate
in the input box.
- Define Z
coordinate of direction vector. After clicking this button, the default
direction is +Z direction. If the user double click this button, the direction
will change in –Z direction. The user may directly enter the known coordinate
in the input box.
Two Points/Nodes - Define vector direction by selecting two points or two nodes on the screen. The first point is the starting point of vector and the second one is the end point.
Three Points/Nodes Normal - Define vector direction by plane normal that is set by three selected points or nodes. After clicking this function, system will prompt the user to select three points or nodes.
Element Normal - Select an element to define a vector by the element normal. After clicking this button, the user needs to select an element on the screen. After selecting the element, the vector direction is highlighted at the center of the element.
Existed LCS - This function allows the user to select a defined LCS X, Y, Z axis to be the direction vector. If there is no defined LCS in the database, the button turns gray. The user may use menu UTILICITIES/COORDINATE SYSTEM to define local coordinate system. After clicking this button, the program displays the select coordinate system dialog box as shown in Figure 5.1.10.
Figure 5.1.10 Select LCS dialog box
The user can click C.S.ID button to set the X, Y, Z axis of an existed local coordinate system as the direction vector.
View Direction - Define view direction as W axis direction.
Reverse Normal - Reverse the defined coordinates’ direction.
After setting of projection direction, the user can select points directly on the screen and click the middle mouse button to confirm completion of this selection. The shortest path between two points will be highlighted on the screen, as shown in Figure 5.1.11. The full length of the path will be displayed in LENGTH option. The user can also click on CREATE CURVE button to generate the shortest curve on the screen.
Figure 5.1.11 Displayed Path Length